Murine colitis treated with multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Angiogenesis, a known pathogenic component of neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases, serves as a therapeutic target. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis are clinically elevated in inflammatory bowel disease. By targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) with receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in a murine model of colitis, we hypothesize that angiogenesis will be suppressed and disease severity improved.

Sorafenib, sunitinib, and axitinib were administered by oral gavage in a murine model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colitis. Inflammation score, microvessel density (MVD), and gene expression of VEGF, VEGFR, platelet-derived growth factor, PDGFR, Ang-2, and epidermal growth factor receptor was assessed.

Inflammation and MVD were elevated in groups receiving DSS, but were similar between DSS-only and treatment cohorts. Unexpected weight loss was present in the gavaged groups versus DSS only. In treated groups, VEGFR was significantly decreased (P = 0.002) and VEGF gene expression trended down (P = 0.213) versus DSS only. Neither the platelet-derived growth factor/PDGFR pathway nor the alternative pathways, Ang-2 and epidermal growth factor receptor, were significantly changed from DSS control in treatment cohorts.

This study confirms the association between inflammation and MVD. Antiangiogenic receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors suppressed the VEGF/VEGFR pathway but the expected decrease in colonic MVD did not follow, suggesting possible involvement of other angiogenic pathway(s). In the DSS model of colitis, vehicle selection and mouse strain can impact disease response.